Thiago Alcántara’s (32) career is one to be envied. The Spanish-Brazilian, who was born into an Italian family, has won 35 trophies. However, at the age of eighteen, he chose to play for the national team. He won two European Championships (in 2020–21) and the World Cup (in Russia) in his four World Cup and Under–21 campaigns with the Spanish national team. However, he was left with the ‘thorn’ of not being crowned with the senior team, although playing 46 games (two goals).
Although his time at Liverpool, which is soon to expire, has not been enjoyable, mostly owing to injuries, he has won it all with FC Barcelona and Bayern Munich. He will win an FA Cup, a Carabao Cup, and a Community Shield, but he won’t have the consistency he needs to reinvent himself. He was not used in the 23/24 and already knows he won’t be offered a new contract. Despite his big pay, Anfield will let him in January if a fresh player joins the team immediately away.
The midfielder, who impressed everyone, cost the Reds 22 million euros three seasons ago. However, he has been dealing with groyne issues, which progressed to a more serious hip issue, and other muscular issues for some time. These days, his only issue is a lack of rhythm. Numerous prestigious teams, particularly in Serie A, have expressed interest in signing him as a free agent, but they are all more interested in making summer than winter investments. Juventus and Inter Milan, who are less doubtful of his age in Italy, have taken their positions, while Barça, who are now searching for a replacement for Oriol Romeu due to Sergi Busquets’ long shadow, value Guido Rodríguez, who is younger and also free to play next season, but they are not neglecting their young player. Anyway, a few months ago, Al-Ettifaq of Saudi Arabia expressed a desire to include him, and he would return to the charge with a sizable sum of money.
The player that will replace him
Now that Thiago Alcantara is departing Liverpool, Curtis Jones is expected to take his place, despite having a distinct personality. It is remarkable that while being ten years younger than the Spaniard, he makes less than half as much money as the player whose contract expires in 2024 and who has been sidelined for several months.